Meltdown around kids

[Christy&Riley]

Riley has always been excited when people stop by but goes CRAZY when little kids come over. The neighbor kids stopped over almost daily the first few weeks (and often since then) and her "breeder" had two little kids so she has had a lot of interaction with kids. You would think the newness would have worn off but it is still terrible. To give you an idea of how much she likes kids... During the summer, the neighbors stopped over with their baby. He was probably about a year. Riley was overjoyed to greet the parents then when they put the baby on the ground, Riley peed in excitement. They lifted the baby up and when they put him back down she peed again. Something about kids, especially little babies, makes her go nuts.

We always try to make her sit before anyone pets her but she cannot contain her excitement around kids very well. She squirms and lungs at them while i struggle to hold her back. The trainer suggested walking away to show she has to obey to get their attention. It works sometimes but not often. Now at 8 months old she is stronger than me so I can barely hold her back when she goes nuts. The kids came over the other day when we were outside and she was so out of control I had to drag her inside. I felt bad because Riley's craziness scared the little girl. Riley has never bitten anyone (although she could lick you to death) so I know she just wants their attention. I wish I could get her to see the kids want to play but can't when she is over the top. It's also frustrating because we've been to training and she does obey when it is just us. I started putting her in her crate when we know people are coming over. Once she settles down we let her out. That seems to be working a bit. Just wondering what else to do outside when people stop by? Would anyone have other suggestions? I thought about treats but I don't think it will register in her brain when she is in the crazy zone. Thanks!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have a pup who is the same way and he will be three soon! So, it does not go away! And I have kids coming in and out all the time to meet the pups I raise, so practice has not helped either---I like the crate idea--if that works for you, I think you should continue that--and make sure the kids and adults IGNORE the dog until you allow her to greet them. It also helps if people are sitting down. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Enzo is the same way. She has just turned 7 months, and it is slowly getting better, but not without a lot of work on our part. We can be out, with her behaving perfectly, and all she has to do is hear a little kid and she loses it. Well...she use to lose it...now, she just barely contains her enthusiasm. But she is learning she must sit and keep all 4 on the floor,before she gets any attention from the kids.

[Christy&Riley]

Oh the day when she keeps " all four on the floor." :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know what kind of collar you use, but perhaps a more corrective one when you go outside and the kids are there.  It would give you more control.  Just another thought, can you record the kids playing and play it back with nothing else going on so that Riley gets used to the sounds????

[Christy&Riley]

We have a choke collar for walks/training but it doesn't seem to deter her in these situations. In fact I am scared she will hurt herself when she pulls so drastically to get to the kids. I hate to go to a prong collar when she is so young but I'm starting to wonder if I need it. I can't flip her on her back to show I'm the boss so maybe I need the collar to regain some control. A few months ago I made her sit in the kitchen and would go ring the doorbell to teach her not to go running at the sound. I was pretty proud that I got her to stay. She obeys my husband much better. Maybe I could do the same with kids voices so at least their high pitch voices become more common. Hmmm....

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Christy - please don't take this as I am being mean or nasty to you because I am not!!!! I am just trying to give you another way to work with her that might work.

Back in the day this is how we trained our dogs - trying to be their boss. When I took Samantha to puppy classes 5 years I was shocked that training is now done with rewards and positively. Flipping her on her back does not show that you are in charge. In dog language it shows that you are to be feared - and if a dog fears us, they could bite. That is not a positive experience for her. Also a choke collar could do damage to her neck and throat if she pulling that hard.

I highly suggest you get this kind of harness - it's called the Freedom Harness. There is a D link on the chest and the back - they also  have a double hook leash so you can attach on the chest and the back on one leash. This harness 'closes' bringing a little pressure to get her attention. I also suggest a trainer come to your home to work on this issue. Our Niña was horrible on a leash!!! Using this harness has made a world of difference. I can walk our 4 doodles by myself because of them!

[Karen, Riley & Cooper]

I agree that this harness is designed brilliantly. Attaching the leash to the front and back gives us so much control (it's designed to be used either attached to the back alone, or the back and front simultaneously; however, it is not to be used attached to the front independently) that we have found it's ideal for training.

Riley (our Riley) is also over zealous when greeting children. When we know someone's coming to our home we have him in a sit and stay as they walk in. The leash and collar offer such great control that it really works well. After a minute or so, we give him some slack in the leash to greet our guests. If he gets too excited, it's back to sit/stay. With adults, having them turn around and ignore him if he jumps works very well. If he is really good and can be calm without much "training" he gets a treat.

He just loves everyone!!!!!

[Adina P]

Collars are not substitutes for training. They are tools. I use both, but mostly the choke chain. However, it had to be used properly. The leash cannot be allowed to get tight except at the moment of a correction...not as a result of pulling. The correction had to happen before the dog reaches the end of the leash. For example, if you are walking forward and she sees a child and you notice her excitement radar has been triggered, don't bother going forward. Turn and walk away or else she will pull you and choke herself. You have to catch her midst the "dirty thought" not after she is going nuts.

[Adina P]

Concerted training on sit, stay, heel, etc. That fixes most anything. But you have to work up to those tough situations. You can't expect her to obey after a handful of practice sessions in the house. And never let her pull you in any direction.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with Adina.  It will take time and you'll need the help of a few children.  I "desensitized" our Doodles to children with the help of the grandkids.  I had to teach the KIDS that they needed to stay calm (no loud voices or running) and I kept my Standard, Murphy, on a long line (Guinness, my mini, was easier to control and I didn't need to leash him).  Whenever they got overly excited I would gate them in another room....they would lose access to the kids.  When they calmed I'd let them out and we'd try again.  They eventually "got it", but it took lots of practice.  I always gate them as the kids are arriving at our home.  Just the fact that they're coming in is too exciting for the dogs even now.  After about ten minutes if they're laying down calmly I let them out.  I actually still have to use a long line occasionally, but for the most part now they understand "the rules".

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Excellent advice. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Roo is six and still just is absolutely crazy with children.  He was a puppy in our breeder's first litter and their little girl spent all her time with him.  I think that is part of it - not that it helped me to "know" that - just an aside.

It has been a long road with him  greating people at home.  Except with my own "children" (30s and 40s) who know how to manage him - after a lot of coaching and practice - Roo still goes to his crate before someone comes in.  That initial greeting is still just too much for him.  After a few minutes I let him out and he is much calmer, not to say totally calm.  Tigger, who is a brother to Roo, is a gentleman to all comers, friendly but calm.  He just has a different nature.

All of the advice you have been given is great.  I will just add that I have always used prong collars and found them to be efficient and useful in training.  Choke collars I find just plain to hard to use properly as Adina describes.  However, for Roo, a Gentleleader was a breakthrough tool in training.  Previously I had not been a cheerleader for the Gentleleader - but for Roo it works wonders, especially during his "meet and greet mania".  I cannot over emphasize the difference it made in his behavior.  Of course I first used it during walks and meeting adults etc.  If you decide to give it a try be sure to watch the training video carefully once or twice.  It is very different from a choke or prong collar.

The second thing I would add is that in fifteen minute chunks of time, I have spent hours and hours with Roo in children's parks with him, just doing basic sit, stay, down, quiet, etc.   I have also use many children who were not shy of Roo to be "my dog trainer" help him learn to sit and stay sitting while they petted and hugged him.    (Shy children were encouraged if they wanted to pet Tigger! who lays patiently on the ground during all this).

I can only say it takes awhile, I wish I had tried the Gentleleader sooner, and thanks to all the stalwart children, neighbors, friends and family who have been so patient, but at home, on no leash, going to the crate is still the only solution for Roo's exuberance.